Zinedine Zidane replaces Rafael Benitez as Real Madrid manager

By Gerard Brand

Zinedine Zidane has replaced Rafael Benitez as manager of Real Madrid following the Spaniard's sacking after just seven months in charge

Zinedine Zidane has replaced Rafael Benitez as manager of Real Madrid following the Spaniard's sacking after just seven months in charge.

Benitez's last match as boss saw Real twice throw away a lead as they drew 2-2 at Gary Neville's Valencia on Sunday evening, leaving the club four points off leaders Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Real Madrid's new coach Zinedine Zidane addresses the press at the Bernabeu

Zidane, who made 225 appearances for the club, was managing Real Madrid Castilla, but has now been promoted to manager of the 10-time European champions.

In his 25 games at the helm, Rafael Benitez saw Real Madrid win 17

In his 25 games into a three-year contract, Benitez led Real to 17 wins, five draws and three defeats at a win percentage of 68, the seventh-highest in the club's history.

Zidane will sign a two-and-a-half year deal on Tuesday to become Real Madrid's 13th manager this century, with the club having won just one league title in the previous seven seasons.

The Frenchman said at the club's press conference: "I'm going to do everything I can to make the best for this club. It's a very important day for me. What I can tell you is that I will give everything or this club.

Guillem Balague believes Zinedine Zidane will find it difficult to inspire the Real Madrid team

"Ever since I arrived as a player I knew how great this club was. We have the best fans in the world and the best club in the world and I'll do everything to win.

"I am going to put my heart and soul into this job so that everything works out well."

Zidane (L) with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

Club president Florentino Perez said of Zidane: "He is one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane, you are from this moment, the coach of Real Madrid."

Further disappointment was to follow when Madrid were thrown out of the Copa del Rey for fielding ineligible player Denis Cheryshev against Cadiz last month.

Real's next game is against seventh-place Deportivo at the Bernabeu on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 and iPad from 7.15pm.

We take a look back at Rafa Benitez's time at Real Madrid

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon told Sky Sports News HQ on Monday he believes Jose Mourinho would have been the best option to replace Benitez.

"People were very unhappy when Ancelotti was sacked," Calderon said. "He [Benitez] wasn't the first option, and the main problem is the president doesn't know which coach to choose.

Real Madrid manager La Liga win percentages

"Zidane was a great, great player but he's been coaching for only two years. So perhaps it's too much to give him the responsibility of Real Madrid.

"It's his best option [to get Mourinho]. I think for Mourinho it's a difficult moment to decide, but I'm sure the president has offered it to him. Maybe Mourinho is waiting for Manchester United, it's been his main aim."